The Quick-Release Locking Lever Clamp from Acratech will fit nearly all quick-release plates that are Arca-Swiss compatible. It has a locking lever and a precision laser-etched scale for accurate positioning. With a 3/8"-16 thread and 1/4"-20 mounting thread adapter, it will fit virtually any tripod head. Stainless steel construction and black anodized finish give this clamp a solid feel. A detent pin gives you extra security and the 15mm bull's eye level helps to quickly position and level the head.

Weighs only 3.9 oz (11 g)

Quick action lever for fast and secure camera attachment

Lever lock provides extra security

Laser-etched precision centering scale

Detent pin for extra security

Adjustment knob makes it compatible with Arca-Swiss quick-release plates from different manufacturers

High friction adjustment knob--cannot accidentally loosen

Large bull's eye level

3/8"-16 thread with adapter for 1/4"-20 so it will fit almost all tripod heads

This clamp only works with Acratech GP ball heads, and if you have a GV2, V2 or Ultimate Ballhead, you will have to send it in to Acratech have the clamp installed.

Rated 2 out of
5 by
Tim from
Fatal FlawThis clamp is constructed with obvious care and craftsmanship. A creative work of art, really. I so badly want to love it. But I must finally conclude the design is fatally flawed. The thumb-screw allows the clamp to fit various sizes of QR plates, which is a noble objective and a creative attempt at solving a real problem. In this design, the thumb-screw adjusts the compression of a spring, which in turn applies variable pressure upon the retaining clamp. So in theory, the pressure can be made high enough to retain the camera over a range of QR plate sizes. But the problem is that with enough back-pressure, the retaining clamp can still move against the compressed spring, causing the retaining clamp to release the camera inadvertently. Unfortunately, enough pressure to cause inadvertent release turns out to be quite low. After my camera getting tossed from my tripod, I sent my unit back to Acratech to have it checked. (Fortunately, my camera was undamaged because it was caught by the remote shutter-release cable. Stroke of luck, since I often do not use the remote.) Acratech was very nice about it and helpful/responsive. (They even re-oriented the locking lever for me free of charge. So I'm really sad to have to give a bad review.) But after receiving the unit back from Acratech, just the other day my camera dislodged twice! One time it was saved from a creek by the lanyard which I now use as a backup to keep my camera attached to my tripod, and the other time I was being stupid/lazy and moved my tripod without attaching the lanyard, and it totally fell to the ground, but into soft moss. So, after three inadvertent releases, still no damage to my $5K camera/lens, but I have determined it is insanity to use this QR clamp without using a lanyard, which unfortunately takes some of the Quick out of Quick Release. You can reproduce the problem easily, if anybody doubts. It is only necessary to tighten the thumbscrew per manufacturer instructions, place the camera into the clamp, and then jar the tripod a bit (as frequently happens when re-positioning during a shoot). By the way, the exact same problem exists in Acratech's screw-type QR plate. It's not a problem with the lever-release mechanism. The problem is with the thumb-screw tensioning system, which is used in both types of Acratech clamps. The reason I know this is because my camera was inadvertently released twice in the screw-type clamp, so before I figured out the root cause, I bought the lever-type hoping to find it more secure. So in the field, I've had inadvertent camera releases five times now - twice with the screw-type QR clamp, and three times with the lever-type QR clamp. I gave two stars instead of one, because Acratech's stuff really is made with care and craftsmanship. If you want to use these clamps, I don't blame you. They're beautifully constructed. But use a safety lanyard at ALL TIMES your camera is mounted.

Date published: 2015-07-08

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Michael from
Secure and easy to useI have four of the level clamps - two on GP ball heads and two I use on belt loop camera pads manufactured by another American company. They are well built, easily adjustable for arca-swiss type camera plates, and very sturdy. The level clamp plates do not come with a mounting screw but accept a 3/6th bolt to mount on another device.